Tag: Varisheh Moradi

Azerbaijani-Turk Activist Salar Taher Afshar Sentenced to One-Year Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, Salar Taher Afshar, Sharifeh Mohammadi, Varisheh Moradi

HRANA – Salar Taher Afshar, an Azerbaijani-Turk activist currently imprisoned in Evin Prison, has been sentenced to one year in prison by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court in connection with a new case opened against him during his incarceration.

Based on a verdict issued and served on December 20, 2025 by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, Mr. Taher Afshar was sentenced to one year of imprisonment on the charge of “propaganda against the regime.”

This case was opened following his signing of a statement protesting the issuance of death sentences against Sharifeh Mohammadi, Varisheh Moradi, and Pakhshan Azizi, as well as protesting the death of Somayeh Rashidi in Qarchak Prison in Varamin during her incarceration.

On February 18, 2025, this Azerbaijani-Turk activist was arrested by Intelligence Department forces in Urmia and transferred to the IRGC Intelligence detention facility in Tabriz. A few days later, Branch 36 of the Tehran Province Court of Appeal sentenced him to five years in prison on the charge of “assembly and collusion against national security.” He was ultimately released on bail from Tabriz Prison on March 2025.
On April 6, this Azerbaijani-Turk activist was arrested after appearing at the Enforcement of Judgments Branch of the Evin Prosecutor’s Office and was transferred to Evin Prison to serve his sentence.

Salar Taher Afshar, an Azerbaijani-Turk activist, has previously faced arrests and convictions due to his activities.

Death Sentence of Varisheh Moradi Overturned

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News, Prisoners
Baghi, Evin Prison, Mostafa Nili, Reza Rasaei, Sanandaj, Varisheh Moradi

HRANA – The death sentence of Varisheh (Verisheh) Moradi, a political prisoner held in Evin Prison, has been overturned by the Supreme Court, and her case has been sent to an equivalent branch for retrial.

Her lawyer, Mostafa Nili, announced moments ago that the Supreme Court has nullified his client’s death sentence after reviewing her appeal. According to him, the ruling was overturned due to procedural violations and the failure to properly inform the defendant of the charges used as the basis for issuing the death sentence during proceedings in Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

In November 2024, Ms. Moradi had been sentenced to death on the charge of baghi (armed rebellion) by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Abolghasem Salavati.

In October 2024, in a separate joint case opened against her and four other prisoners inside the prison, Ms. Moradi was sentenced by Branch Two of the Qods Judicial Complex in Tehran to six months’ discretionary imprisonment. In that case, she faced charges of assaulting an officer and disobedience. The case stemmed from an incident on August 6, when Evin women’s ward prisoners protested after learning of the execution of Reza Rasaei, leading to confrontations with prison guards.

Varisheh Moradi was arrested in August 2023 by security forces in the outskirts of Sanandaj. She was eventually transferred on December 26 of that year from The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility, known as Ward 209 of Evin Prison, after the completion of interrogation, to the women’s ward of the same prison.

Evin Prison Evacuated After Airstrikes: Detainees Transferred Amid Inhumane Conditions and Family Blackout

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News, Prisoners
Anisha Asadollahi, Evin Prison, Ghezel Hesar, great tehran penitentiary, HRANA, Keyvan Mohtadi, Mostafa Mehraeen, Qarchak Varamin, Raheleh Rahemipour, Varisheh Moradi

HRANA News Agency – Following the mass transfer of political and security prisoners from Evin Prison to facilities such as Qarchak Varamin, the Greater Tehran Penitentiary, and Ghezel Hesar in Karaj, reports indicate that these relocations were conducted without regard for fundamental standards — including separation based on offense type, adequate living conditions, access to basic services, and the right to contact family members. These abrupt and forced transfers were made without transparent communication from the responsible authorities, sparking serious concern among the prisoners’ families.

A photo showing damage to Ward 209, the bakery, and the medical clinic at Evin Prison.

In addition to causing infrastructural damage, the attack on Evin Prison has led to psychological distress and serious concerns for the families of prisoners. As of the time of this report, officials have not provided clear information about the status and conditions of the transferred prisoners.

Overcrowding

According to information obtained by HRANA, following the mass transfer of male political prisoners from Evin Prison, more than 70 individuals were relocated to Quarantine Unit 3 at Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj. These prisoners are enduring severe shortages of basic necessities and face tight restrictions on communicating with their families.

Female political prisoners who were abruptly and forcibly transferred to Qarchak Varamin Prison were initially confined in a cramped, unsanitary quarantine ward. They were later moved to a gymnasium lacking even the most basic facilities, including beds, and equipped with only a few restrooms. Eventually, they were returned to the quarantine ward, where they continue to be held in conditions that disregard crime-based classification and fail to meet minimum living standards.

At Greater Tehran Prison, inmates housed in Halls 3 and 4 of Ward 2 are being held in rooms that far exceed their intended capacity of 20 people. This extreme overcrowding has led to widespread floor-sleeping, heightened tensions among inmates, and a serious deterioration in sanitary conditions.

Poor Sanitation and Living Conditions

Sanitary conditions in Qarchak and Greater Tehran prisons have been reported as extremely poor. A family member of one of the women transferred to Qarchak told HRANA that in the prison’s gym and quarantine ward, there are only two toilets and one shower for dozens of inmates. The quarantine space is very small and unhygienic, and in the hot summer weather, access to outdoor areas is practically impossible. Reports speak of infestations of insects and pests such as mice, and even snakes in prisoners’ sleeping quarters.

According to HRANA, similar conditions exist in Greater Tehran Prison, where 70 to 80 inmates must share one toilet, one sink, and one shower. This lack of sanitary facilities significantly raises the risk of infectious and skin diseases, endangering prisoners’ health.

Limited Access to Food and Drinking Water

The food and clean water situation in Qarchak and Greater Tehran prisons is described as critical. In Qarchak, the tap water is salty and contaminated, making it undrinkable, and many prisoners must pay for bottled water. The prison has only one central kitchen that provides low-quality, insufficient food. Dinner is distributed at 4 p.m., and prisoners are forced to eat cold, tasteless meals at any later time. There is a fast food outlet in the prison, but prices are high and unaffordable for most inmates.

In Greater Tehran Penitentiary, the increase in prisoner numbers has seriously disrupted food distribution. According to a prisoner’s family, some inmates receive meals late or receive incomplete portions. Drinking water is also undrinkable due to its poor quality and high salinity, with no suitable alternatives available. Combined with the lack of hygiene facilities, this has created serious physical problems for prisoners.

Lack of Medical Services

Female prisoners in Qarchak and many of the inmates transferred to Greater Tehran Prison have been denied access to medical services. According to a relative of one prisoner, Qarchak provides no medical care or basic health facilities for women, who are held in security conditions without sanitary support. Greater Tehran Prison faces similar issues; for example, Morteza Seydi, who was injured during the Israeli airstrike, has been denied even the most basic treatment despite having a severe hand infection.

Restricted Contact with Families

Prisoners transferred to Qarchak and Ghezel Hesar are facing severe restrictions on contact with their families. At Qarchak, political prisoners held in the quarantine ward have been almost completely cut off from the outside world. According to a relative of one incarcerated woman, phone calls were still prohibited as of yesterday, with only a single malfunctioning phone available—enabling some prisoners to place short calls lasting just two to five minutes. Meanwhile, political and security detainees sent to Ghezel Hesar are being held under strict security conditions and have been entirely denied access to phone communication with their families.

On social media, relatives and friends of political prisoners transferred to Greater Tehran and Qarchak prisons have shared posts raising concerns about their conditions. Keyvan Mohtadi stated that his wife Anisha Asadollahi, along with Raheleh Rahemipour and Kobra Beiki, were transferred to Qarchak. He reported a lack of basic facilities, overcrowding, and that prisoners’ belongings were left behind in Evin. He emphasized that the situation is even harder for elderly inmates like Rahemipour and Beiki.

A social media page associated with Varisheh Moradi expressed concern about her health in Qarchak, stating that the transfer has disrupted access to medical care for ill prisoners.

Another page associated with Mostafa Mehraeen, who was arrested on June 15, reported that he was transferred to Greater Tehran Penitentiary but remains in solitary confinement and has so far had only one brief phone call with his family.

It is important to note that on Monday, June 23, amid Israeli airstrikes on Tehran, Evin Prison was directly hit. Multiple sections of the facility were damaged, including the main entrance gate, the on-site courthouse, the medical clinic, Ward 209, the bakery, and the visitation hall. The attack resulted in the death or injury of several conscripted soldiers, while dozens of prison staff and inmate laborers—some of whom were gardening at the time—were also reported wounded. In the aftermath, the Prisons Organization announced the transfer of Evin’s inmates to various detention facilities across Tehran Province.

Karim Asghari, a Relative of Varisheh Moradi, Arrested in Sanandaj

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, Karim Asghari, Mehraneh Moradi, Sanandaj, Varisheh Moradi

HRANA News Agency – Today, Karim Asghari, the brother-in-law of Varisheh Moradi, a political prisoner sentenced to death, was arrested in Sanandaj by agents of the Ministry of Intelligence, who reportedly beat him during the arrest.

Based on information received by HRANA, at 1 PM today, Sunday, June 8, agents from the Ministry of Intelligence in Sanandaj went to Mr. Asghari’s workplace. After presenting a judicial warrant, they arrested him with physical violence.

A source close to the family confirmed the news and told HRANA: “In recent months, members of Varisheh Moradi’s family—including her sister Mehraneh Moradi and Karim Asghari—have been under increasing security pressure.” According to this source, after Varisheh’s arrest, her family has been summoned multiple times to the Ministry of Intelligence in Sanandaj and has been repeatedly threatened with arrest. The source also reported that Mehraneh Moradi was directly threatened with arrest should she continue to follow up on her sister’s case. She had previously, in 2016, been detained along with Karim Asghari for three months.

The source added: “In recent months, as the family sought to pursue Varisheh’s medical treatment and raised concerns over her being denied visits, Karim Asghari was temporarily detained by plainclothes security forces in front of Evin Prison. He was held in a vehicle for three hours, interrogated, and threatened. The agents explicitly warned that any disclosure of information about the case is prohibited and that media coverage would provoke severe consequences.”

As of the time of this report, there is no information on the reasons for Mr. Asghari’s arrest, his place of detention, or the charges against him.

Varisheh Moradi was arrested by security forces in the outskirts of Sanandaj in August 2023. She was ultimately transferred to Evin Prison on December 26, 2023. In late November 2024, she was sentenced to death by Branch 15 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Abolghasem Salavati, on the charge of baghi (armed rebellion).

Varisheh Moradi, a political prisoner on death row, denied medical treatment

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News, Prisoners
armed rebellion, bolghasem Salavati, Evin Prison, Sanandaj, Varisheh Moradi

HRANA News Agency – Varisheh Moradi, a political prisoner sentenced to death and held in Evin Prison, is being denied hospital transfer and adequate medical care despite her deteriorating physical condition.

A social media page affiliated with Varisheh Moradi reported that she suffers from several health issues, including severe spinal disc problems in her back and neck, and has required urgent surgery and proper medical attention for over three months, as confirmed by a specialist. Despite prison doctors at Evin confirming the severity of her condition and emphasizing the urgent need for treatment outside the prison, she continues to be denied transfer to medical facilities on orders from the relevant authorities.

Ms. Moradi had previously also been denied transfer to medical centers despite requiring specialized treatment.

Varisheh Moradi was arrested by security forces in August 2023 in the outskirts of Sanandaj. She was eventually transferred on December 26 of that year from the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility, known as Ward 209 of Evin Prison, to the women’s ward.

In late November 2024, Ms. Moradi was sentenced to death by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Abolghasem Salavati, on the charge of baghi (armed rebellion).

In another case, in late October 2023, she was sentenced to six months in prison by Branch Two of the Qods Judicial Complex Criminal Court in Tehran, in a joint case involving four other inmates. The charge against her in this case was “assaulting an officer and disobedience.”

This case stemmed from events on August 7, following protests by female prisoners in Evin’s women’s ward after learning about the execution of Reza Rasaei, which led to a clash with prison guards.

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Female Prisoners in Evin: Latest Report on Names and Sentences

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News, Prisoners, Women
Bahareh Hedayat, Evin Prison, golrokh iraee, Iman Afshari, Kimia Bani Adam, Mahvash Sabet, Narges Mohammadi, Rezvaneh Ahmad-Khan Beigi, Samaneh Nowruz Moradi, Varisheh Moradi, Zohreh Sayadi

HRANA News Agency – This report provides an updated list and the latest status of 77 female political and security prisoners, 69 of whom are currently held in Evin Prison, while 8 others have been granted temporary leave. Judge Iman Afshari has played a significant role in issuing sentences, having ruled on at least 33 cases, while Judge Abolghasem Salavati has issued verdicts for at least 17 of these prisoners. These two judges were also responsible for the death sentences of Varisheh Moradi and Pakhshan Azizi.

As of the time of this report, 69 women remain incarcerated in Evin’s general and quarantine wards, while 8 prisoners—Narges Mohammadi, Samaneh Nowruz Moradi, Rezvaneh Ahmad-Khan Beigi, Bahareh Hedayat, Zohreh Sayadi, Mahvash Sabet (Shahriari), Kimia Bani Adam, and Shabnam Nematzadeh—are currently on temporary leave.

Among these detainees:

. 11 prisoners remain in legal limbo without finalized sentences.
. 2 prisoners have been sentenced to death.
. Judge Iman Afshari, head of Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court, has issued at least 33 sentences.
. Judge Abolghasem Salavati, head of Branch 15 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court, has ruled on at least 17 cases.
. Some other prisoners were tried in courts in Mashhad, Shahriar, and other judicial jurisdictions.

One of the longest-held prisoners in this ward is Maryam Haji Hosseini, who has been detained since September 2019 on espionage charges. Additionally, some prisoners in this ward are over 60 years old and, despite serious health conditions, have been denied specialized medical care. The youngest prisoner, Kimia Bani Adam (20 years old), was recently granted temporary leave.

Several prisoners, including Golrokh Iraee, Elaheh Fouladi, Pakhshan Azizi, Maryam Yahyavi, Motahareh Gunei, Vida Rabani, Varisheh Moradi, and Zahra Safaei, have been denied family visits for unclear reasons.

Case Profiles of Female Political Prisoners in Evin Prison:

1. Golrokh Iraee

Charges: Assembly and collusion, propaganda against the state, disturbing public order
Court: Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 5 years in prison + social restrictions
Arrest Date: September 26, 2022
Transferred to Evin: November 29, 2022

2. Varisheh Moradi (Mirzaei)

Charges: Membership in an opposition group, armed rebellion (Baghi), resisting and assaulting officers
Court: Branch 15 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court & Criminal Court Branch 2, Qods Judicial Complex
Current status: Sentenced to 6 months in prison in one case and death penalty in another
Arrest Date: July 31, 2023
Transferred to Evin: December 26, 2023

3. Pakhshan Azizi

Charges: Armed rebellion (Baghi)
Court: Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Current status: Death sentence confirmed by the Supreme Court
Arrest Date: July 31, 2023
Transferred to Evin: December 9, 2023

4. Maryam Haji Hosseini

Charges: Corruption on earth (Efsad-fil-Arz) and espionage for Israel
Court: Branch 15 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 10 years in prison + asset confiscation
Date of imprisonment: March 11, 2020
Arrest Date: August-September 2019
Transferred to Evin: March 11, 2020

5. Azam (Nasrin) Khezri Javadi

Charges: Assembly and collusion to act against national security
Court: Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 5 years in prison
Arrest Date: May 1, 2019
Transferred to Evin: July 2, 2022

6. Shakila Monfared

Charges: Membership in opposition groups, destruction of public property, disruption of public order, propaganda against the state, and blasphemy
Court: Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 15 years and 5 months in prison across four separate cases, plus 10 lashes, social restrictions, and exile
Arrest Date: January 20, 2021
Transferred to Evin: July 20, 2022

7. Masoumeh (Farah) Nassaji

Charges: Unspecified
Court: Branch 28 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 5 years and 4 months in prison
Arrest Date: Unknown
Transferred to Evin: September 4, 2022

8. Fariba Kamalabadi

Charges: Leading a group labeled a “deviant sect” with the alleged aim of disrupting national security
Court: Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 10 years in prison
Arrest Date: July 31, 2022
Transferred to Evin: December 7, 2022

9. Vida Rabbani

Charges: Assembly and collusion against national security, propaganda against the state, blasphemy, and disrupting public order
Court: Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 17 years and 7 months in prison, plus social restrictions
Arrest date: September 24, 2022
Transferred to Evin: December 11, 2022

10. Parvin Mirasan

Charges: Assembly and collusion, propaganda against the state
Court: Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 4 years in prison
Arrest Date: November 4, 2022
Transferred to Evin: March 19, 2023

11. Sepideh Gholian

Charges: Insulting the Supreme Leader, removing hijab, promoting promiscuity and indecency, and repeatedly committing the same offense during court hearings
Court: Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court & Branch 1207 of Criminal Court 2, Shahid Kachouyi Judicial Complex
Sentence: 3 years and 3 months in prison across two separate cases, plus social restrictions
Arrest Date: March 15, 2023
Transferred to Evin: March 19, 2023

12. Farahnaz Nikkhoo

Charges: Acting against national security through espionage
Court: Branch 15 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Arrest Date: December 3, 2022
Transferred to Evin: April 30, 2023

13. Zohreh Sarv

Charges: Assembly and collusion, propaganda against the state
Court: Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 7 years in prison
Arrest Date: September-October 2021
Transferred to Evin: May 1, 2023

14. Saeideh Shafiei

Charges: Propaganda against the state, assembly and collusion
Court: Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 3 years and 6 months in prison, plus social restrictions
Arrest Date: January 22, 2023
Transferred to Evin: September 6, 2024

15. Sodabeh Fakharzadeh

Charges: Assembly and collusion to disrupt national security
Court: Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 5 years in prison
Arrest Date: February-March 2023
Transferred to Evin: May 9, 2023

16. Shiva Esmaeili

Charges: Repeat offense of assembly and collusion against national security
Court: Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 10 years in prison
Arrest Date: October-November 2020
Transferred to Evin: May 22, 2023

17. Mahboobeh Rezaei

Charges: Membership in opposition groups, assembly and collusion against national security, propaganda against the state, blasphemy, removing hijab, and promoting corruption on social media
Court: Branch 28 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court & Criminal Court 2, Qods Judicial Complex
Sentence: 20 years and 3 months in prison across two separate cases, plus fines
Arrest Date: May 22, 2023
Transferred to Evin: June 6, 2023

18. Tahereh (Fereshteh) Noori

Charges: Assembly and collusion against national security, disrupting public order
Court: Tehran Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 5 years in prison
Arrest Date: May 22, 2023
Transferred to Evin: July 4, 2023

19. Maryam (Anisha) Asadollahi

Charges: Assembly and collusion, propaganda against the state
Court: Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 5 years and 8 months in prison
Arrest Date: April 28, 2023
Transferred to Evin: July 26, 2023

20. Azar Korvandi (Korvandi) Musazadeh

Charges: Assembly and collusion to act against national security through cooperation with opposition groups
Court: Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 5 years in prison
Arrest Date: July 29, 2023
Transferred to Evin: Summer of 2019

21. Nasim Gholami Simiari

Charges: Destruction of public property to disrupt public order and security, opposing the Islamic government, assembly and collusion
Court: Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 6 years in prison, 74 lashes, and 20 years of exile under judicial supervision in Angooran, Zanjan Province
Arrest Date: May 18, 2023
Transferred to Evin: September 26, 2023

22. Zahra Safaei
Charges: Assembly and collusion to commit crimes against national security
Court: Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 5 years in prison
Arrest Date: September 12, 2023
Transferred to Evin: October 10, 2023
23. Marzieh Farsi

Charges: Membership in opposition groups
Court: Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 15 years in prison
Arrest Date: October 17, 2023
Transferred to Evin: August 21, 2023

24. Forough Taghizadeh

Charges: Membership in opposition groups
Court: Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 15 years in prison
Arrest Date: October 17, 2023
Transferred to Evin: August 21, 2023

25. Kobra Beiki
Charges: Assembly and collusion, propaganda against the state
Court: Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 3 years in prison
Arrest Date: During the 2022 nationwide protests (Date unknown)
Transferred to Evin: October 21, 2023
26. Masoumeh Akbari

Charges: Assembly and collusion against national security, propaganda against the state
Court: Branch 28 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 2 years in prison
Arrest Date: October-November 2018
Transferred to Evin: October 28, 2023

27. Reyhaneh Ansari Nejad

Charges: Assembly and collusion against national security
Court: Branch 15 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 4 years in prison, plus social restrictions
Arrest Date: April 28, 2023
Transferred to Evin: November 6, 2023

28. Raheleh Rahemi Pour
Charges: Assembly and collusion, propaganda against the state
Court: Branch 15 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 6 years in prison
Arrest Date: November 12, 2019
Transferred to Evin: November 18, 2023
29. Mahnaz Tarah

Charges: Assembly and collusion, propaganda against the state
Court: Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 4 years and 4 months in prison
Arrest Date: November 13, 2023
Transferred to Evin: November 23, 2023

30. Narges Mansouri

Charges: Assembly and collusion against national security, propaganda against the state
Court: Branch 15 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 9 years in prison across two separate cases
Arrest Date: August 12, 2019
Transferred to Evin: December 1, 2023

31. Elaheh Fouladi

Charges: Propaganda against the state, assembly and collusion
Court: Tehran Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 5 years in prison
Arrest Date: January -February 2020
Transferred to Evin: December 12, 2023

32. Shirin Saeedi
Charges: Assembly and collusion against national security
Court: Branch 15 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 5 years in prison
Arrest Date: December 23, 2023
Transferred to Evin: December 23, 2023
33. Nasrin Roshan
Charges: Propaganda against the state, assembly and collusion
Court: Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 3 years in prison
Arrest Date: January 1, 2024
Transferred to Evin: November 16, 2023
34. Mina Khajavi, Christian Convert
Charges: Forming an illegal group to disrupt national security, acting against national security by promoting evangelical Christianity and establishing a house church
Court: Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 6 years in prison
Arrest Date: June-July 2020
Transferred to Evin: January 8, 2024
35. Laleh Saati, Christian Convert
Charges: Acting against national security
Court: Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 2 years in prison
Arrest Date: Unknown
Transferred to Evin: February 13, 2024
36. Neda Fotouhi
Charges: Propaganda against the state, membership in the Erfan-e Halgheh group, assembly and collusion against domestic and foreign security by participating in Mahsa Amini protests and commemorations
Court: Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 6 years and 8 months in prison
Arrest Date: September-October 2023
Transferred to Evin: February 17, 2024
37. Lian Darvish
Charges: Assembly and collusion, insulting the Supreme Leader, propaganda against the state
Court: Tehran Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 5 years in prison
Arrest Date: Unknown
Transferred to Evin: February 21, 2024
38. Nahid Khodajo

Charges: Assembly and collusion against national security, disrupting public order
Court: Branch 15 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 6 years in prison and 74 lashes
Arrest Date: May 1, 2019
Transferred to Evin: February 21, 2024

39. Maryam Yahyavi

Charges: Assembly and collusion, propaganda against the state
Court: Branch 15 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 1 year in prison
Arrest Date: November 2, 2014
Transferred to Evin: March 3, 2024

40. Samaneh Asghari

Charges: Propaganda against the state
Court: Branch 29 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 1 year in prison
Arrest Date: September 16, 2023
Transferred to Evin: April 3, 2024

41. Sakineh Parvaneh

Charges: Assembly and collusion against national security (6 years), propaganda against the Islamic Republic (1 year and 6 months)
Court: Branch 1 of Mashhad’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 7 years and 6 months in prison
Arrest Date: March-April 2023
Transferred to Evin: April 3, 2024

42. Mandana Karimi Bakhtiari

Charges: Propaganda against the state, membership in opposition groups with intent to act against national security
Court: Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 5 years in prison
Arrest Date: June 10, 2024
Transferred to Evin: June 10, 2024

43. Hora Nikbakht

Charges: Propaganda against the state, insulting the Supreme Leader
Court: Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 1 year in prison
Arrest Date: June 12, 2024
Transferred to Evin: June 12, 2024

44. Narges Khorasani

Charges: Membership in the Erfan-e Halgheh spiritual group
Court: Tehran Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 3 years in prison
Arrest Date: July-August 2022
Transferred to Evin: June 15, 2024

45. Parisa Yousefi

Charges: Membership in the Erfan-e Halgheh spiritual group
Court: Tehran Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 3 years in prison
Arrest Date: July-August 2022
Transferred to Evin: June 15, 2024

46. Fereshteh Hosseini

Charges: Membership in the Erfan-e Halgheh spiritual group
Court: Tehran Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 5 years in prison
Arrest Date: July-August 2022
Transferred to Evin: June 15, 2024

47. Parivash Moslemi

Charges: Propaganda against the state, insulting the Supreme Leader, assembly and collusion
Court: Tehran Revolutionary Court & Criminal Court 2, Qods Judicial Complex
Sentence: 4 years and 2 months in prison across two separate cases
Arrest Date: August-September 2023
Transferred to Evin: July 7, 2024

48. Zahra (Yas) Bonakdar Tehrani

Charges: Affiliation with the Erfan-e Halgheh spiritual group
Court: Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 2 years in prison
Arrest Date: Unknown
Transferred to Evin: July 23, 2024

49. Moloud Safaei

Charges: Propaganda against the state
Court: Tehran Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 3 years in prison
Arrest Date: June 16, 2021
Transferred to Evin: July 30, 2024

50. Hamraz Sadeghi

Charges: Propaganda against the state
Court: Tehran Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 1 year in prison
Arrest Date: February 24, 2018
Transferred to Evin: August 10, 2024

51. Arezoo Azarmsefat

Charges: Collaboration with an opposition group
Court: Tehran Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 3 years and 9 months in prison
Arrest Date: May 1, 2024
Transferred to Evin: August 26, 2024

52. Saeedeh (Bahareh) Ghorbanali

Charges: Assembly and collusion against national security, propaganda against the state, insulting the Supreme Leader and the founder of the Islamic Republic
Court: Branch 15 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 3 years in prison
Arrest Date: Spring 2019
Transferred to Evin: September 7, 2024

53. Maryam Banoo Nasiri

Charges: Assembly and collusion
Court: Branch 1 of Shahriar’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 3 years and 7 months in prison
Arrest Date: July 17, 2020
Transferred to Evin: September 8, 2024

54. Shima Azam Farzan

Charges: Assembly and collusion against national security, propaganda against the state
Court: Branch 15 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 6 years in prison
Arrest Date: November 7, 2022
Transferred to Evin: September 23, 2024

55. Golnaz Salah Chin

Charges: Propaganda against the state
Court: Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 1 year in prison
Arrest Date: February-March 2024
Transferred to Evin: October 3, 2024

56. Mahvash (Saye) Seidal Tadoei

Charges: Spreading false information
Court: Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 3 years in prison across two separate cases
Arrest Date: June 21, 2023
Transferred to Evin: October 6, 2024

57. Motahereh Gounei

Charges: Propaganda against the state in favor of opposition media
Court: Branch 29 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 1 year in prison, temporary ban on education, and forced transfer to Ardabil University of Medical Sciences
Arrest Date: May 1, 2024
Transferred to Evin: October 7, 2024

58. Maryam Vahidi Far

Charges: National security offenses (alleged support for Saeed Mohammadi Douraki)
Court: Shahriar Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 17 months in prison
Arrest Date: Early 2024
Transferred to Evin: October 31, 2024

59. Masoumeh Askari

Charges: Collaboration with opposition groups, membership in anti-state organizations
Court status: Under review in Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: Not yet issued
Arrest Date: July-August 2024
Transferred to Evin: October 8, 2024

60. Nayereh Behnoud

Charges: Propaganda against the state, assembly and collusion through membership in opposition groups
Court status: Under review in Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: Not yet issued
Arrest Date: September-October 2024
Transferred to Evin: October 21, 2024

61. Elnaz (Solmaz) Ahmadi

Charges: Propaganda against the state, assembly and collusion
Court status: Under investigation
Sentence: Pending
Arrest Date: December 27, 2024
Transferred to Evin: December 29, 2024

62. Zahra Sharif Kazemi

Charges: Unknown
Court status: Under investigation
Sentence: Pending
Arrest Date: December 24, 2024
Transferred to Evin: December 22, 2024

63. Nasim Eslam Zehi (Sunni Muslim)

Charges: Suspected affiliation with ISIS
Court status: Under review in Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: Not yet issued
Arrest Date: August-September 2023
Transferred to Evin: March 4, 2024

64. Bornagol Abdollah Vav (Tajikistani national)

Charges: Unknown
Court status: Under review in Branch 15 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: Not yet issued
Arrest Date: Unknown
Transferred to Evin: September 25, 2024

65. Aisha Rezaei Vav (Tajikistani national)

Charges: Unknown
Court status: Under review in Branch 15 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: Not yet issued
Arrest Date: Unknown
Transferred to Evin: September 25, 2024

66. Khadijeh Rezaei Vav (Tajikistani national)

Charges: Unknown
Court status: Under review in Branch 15 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: Not yet issued
Arrest Date: Unknown
Transferred to Evin: September 25, 2024

68. Eslam Bani Hassani (Jordanian national)

Charges: Unknown
Court status: Under review in Branch 15 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: Not yet issued
Date of imprisonment: September 25, 2024

69. Hajar Zaboli (Afghan national)

Charges: Unknown
Court status: Under review in Branch 15 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: Not yet issued
Arrest Date: Unknown
Transferred to Evin: September 25, 2024

Female Prisoners Currently on Temporary Leave from Evin Prison:
In addition to those incarcerated, several prisoners are currently on temporary leave. Their names and case details are as follows:

1. Narges Mohammadi (Nobel Peace Prize Laureate & Human Rights Activist)

Charges: Propaganda against the Islamic Republic (issuing anti-execution statements), sit-in protest inside prison, disobedience against prison authorities, destruction of property, defamation, assault, resisting officers, and further propaganda activities
Court: Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court, Branch 1177 of Criminal Court 2 (Qods Judicial Complex), Branch 29 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 15 years and 6 months in prison across seven separate cases, plus 74 lashes, exile, and social restrictions
Arrest Date: November 16, 2021
Transferred to Evin: July 20, 2022– Granted leave on December 4, 2024

 

2. Samaneh Noruz (Nowruz) Moradi

Charges: Membership in opposition groups with intent to disrupt national security, assembly and collusion against national security, propaganda against the state
Court: Branch 28 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 13 years and 9 months in prison
Arrest Date: April 24, 2023
Transferred to Evin: Unknown – Granted leave on April 23, 2024

3. Rezvaneh Ahmad-Khan Beigi

Charges: Assembly and collusion against internal security, propaganda against the state
Court: Branch 28 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 20 months in prison
Arrest Date: September 18, 2023
Transferred to Evin: Unknown – Granted leave on September 18, 2024 (Shahrivar 28, 1403)

4. Bahareh Hedayat

Charges: Assembly and collusion, propaganda against the state
Court: Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 4 years and 8 months in prison, plus social restrictions
Arrest Date: October 3, 2022
Transferred to Evin: November 2022 – Granted leave on February 19, 2024

 

5. Zohreh Sayadi

Charges: Unknown
Court: Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 1 year in prison
Arrest Date: December 10, 2019
Transferred to Evin: May 30, 2023– Granted leave on August 8, 2023

6. Mahvash Sabet (Shahriari) (Baha’i Citizen)

Charges: Leading a group labeled a “deviant sect” with the alleged aim of disrupting national security
Court: Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 10 years in prison
Arrest Date: July 31, 2022
Transferred to Evin: December 23, 2022 – Granted leave on December 4, 2024

7. Kimia Bani Adam

Charges: Unknown
Court: Tehran Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 2 years in prison
Arrest Date: Unknown
Transferred to Evin: December 5, 2024 – Granted leave on December 16, 2024

8. Shabnam Nematzadeh

Charges: Major disruption of Iran’s economic system by obstructing the distribution of essential goods (pharmaceuticals)
Court: Branch 3 of the Economic Corruption Court
Sentence: 20 years in prison, 74 lashes, and permanent disqualification from certain activities
Arrest Date: August-September 2019
Transferred to Evin: Unknown – Granted leave on July 17, 2024

Kurdistan Shopkeepers’ Strike; 7 Protesters Against Executions Arrested

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Freedom of Expression, News
Divandarreh, HRANA, Marivan, Pakhshan Azizi, Sanandaj, Saqqez, Varisha Moradi, Varisheh Moradi

HRANA News Agency – Yesterday, January 22, 2025, amid a strike by shopkeepers across cities in Kurdistan Province protesting the death sentences of Varisheh Moradi and Pakhshan Azizi, seven citizens were arrested by security forces and taken to unknown locations.

According to HRANA, quoting Kolbar News, Soheila Mataei, previously arrested during the 2022 nationwide protests in Dehgolan, was detained for participating in the strikes. Additionally, six residents of Sanandaj—Amjad Geriakhiz, Naeem Doosti, Mohammad Seif-Panahi, Sina Rezaei, Mohammad Atlasi, and 33-year-old Omid Mohammadi—were arrested without judicial warrants for joining the strike.

As of this report, no information about the charges against these individuals has been released. Soheila Motaei has a history of arrests and legal confrontations due to her activism.

Yesterday, shopkeepers in various cities across Kurdistan, including Sanandaj, Saqqez, Divandarreh, and Marivan, went on strike, halting daily activities in protest against the death sentences of Varisheh Moradi and Pakhshan Azizi.

The Latest Comprehensive List of 54 Political and Security Prisoners Sentenced to Death in Iran

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Executions, Freedom of Expression, News
Abbas Deris, Abbas Korkor, Abdolhakim Azim Gorgij, Abdolrahim Ghanbarzahi, Abdolrahman Gorgij, Adham Naroui, Adnan Ghabishavi, Ahmadreza Jalali, Akbar Daneshvarkar, Ali Mojdam, Ali Obeidavi, Alireza Barmerzpournak, Alireza Kafaei, Amir-Mohammad Khosh Eghbal, Azad Shojaei, Babak Alipour, Behrouz Ehsani, Edris Ali, Eido Shah-Bakhsh, Farhad Shakri, Farshid Hassanzahi, Gorgij Abdolghani Shah-Bakhsh, Habib Deris, Hamid Hossein-Nezhad Heidaranlou, Hatam Ozdemir, Hossein Nemati, Isa Eidmohammadi, Malek Ali Fadaei Nasab, Malek Davarshenas, Mehdi Hassani, Milad Armon, Moein Khenafri, Mohammad Amin Mahdavi Shayesteh, Mohammad Javad Vafaei Sani, Mohammad Mehdi Soleimani, Mohammad Reza Moghadam, Mohammad Zeynaldini, Naser Bakirzadeh, Navid Najaran, Pakhshan Azizi, Pouya Ghabadi Biston, Rasoul Ahmad Mohammad, Salem Mousavi, Saman Mohammadi Khiyareh, Seyed Abolhasan Montazer, Seyed Mohammad Taghavi Sangdehi, Shahin Vasaf, Shahriar Bayat, Soleiman Shah-Bakhsh, Taj Mohammad Khormal, Vahid Bani-Amirian, Varisheh Moradi, Yousef Ahmadi

HRANA News Agency –Recent investigations by HRANA reveal that at least 54 prisoners across Iran have been sentenced to death on political or security-related charges. The findings show that some of these sentences have been upheld by the Supreme Court and forwarded to execution branches. Of these, at least 24 were sentenced to death by Tehran’s Revolutionary and Criminal Courts, while the remaining 30 are concentrated in provinces such as Khuzestan, Razavi Khorasan, West Azerbaijan, Sistan and Baluchestan, and Kurdistan.

HRANA’s research highlights serious due process violations in many of these cases. Prisoners were frequently denied fair trials, including restricted or outright denial of access to legal representation and a lack of transparency in judicial proceedings. Some were denied access to their chosen attorneys, while in other instances, judicial authorities blocked meetings between prisoners and their lawyers. A significant number of these individuals, who denied the charges against them, were sentenced to death following opaque and unjust trials. Reports further indicate that some of these prisoners are currently held in solitary confinement, awaiting execution.

Investigations show that judges in Tehran courts have issued the majority of death sentences for these prisoners. The main charge against them is cited as “Baghi” (armed rebellion or uprising against the government). Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Abolghasem Salavati, and Branch 26, led by Judge Iman Afshari, have played significant roles in issuing these sentences. In Urmia, sentences against prisoners, including porters accused of espionage for Israel, have been issued by Branch 3 of the Urmia Revolutionary Court.

Some death sentences were reissued in equivalent-level courts after being overturned by the Supreme Court. For example, Hatem Özdemir and Abbas (Mojahid) Korkor (Korkori) were resentenced to death in equivalent courts following the annulment of their initial sentences. Similarly, Mohammad Javad Vafaei Sani was sentenced to death for the third time during judicial proceedings.

While certain individuals have been accused of espionage, the Iranian government’s track record of leveraging such charges as a political tool against dissidents raises serious doubts about these allegations. The use of the death penalty in cases shrouded in secrecy and lacking transparency only exacerbates concerns.

Lawyers for some of these prisoners have repeatedly asserted that their clients were sentenced to death in unfair judicial processes that failed to meet fair trial standards. For instance, in the case of Pakhshan Azizi, her lawyers stated that the evidence presented to the Supreme Court demonstrated that she had no involvement in military activities and was solely engaged in humanitarian efforts in refugee camps for those displaced by ISIS. They expressed concern over the potential rushed handling of the case and called for a thorough and fair review of the evidence.

This report focuses on the human consequences of these cases, identifying the names and examining the latest legal statuses of 54 prisoners sentenced to death on political and security-related charges.

 

1. Varisheh Moradi

  • Prison: Evin Prison
  • Main Charge: Baghi (armed rebellion)
  • Court: Branch 15, Tehran Revolutionary Court
  • Case Status: Initial death sentence issued
Varisheh Moradi was arrested by security forces in the suburbs of Sanandaj on August 1, 2023. She was transferred to the women’s ward of Evin Prison on December 26. In November, 2024, she was sentenced to death by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Abolghasem Salavati, on charges including membership in an opposition group and Baghi.

 

2. Pakhshan Azizi

  • Prison: Evin Prison
  • Main Charge: Baghi
  • Court: Branch 26, Tehran Revolutionary Court
  • Case Status: Death sentence issued and upheld by the Supreme Court
Pakhshan Azizi, a resident of Mahabad, was arrested in Tehran on August 4, 2023, and transferred to Ward 209 of Evin Prison. After four months of interrogation, she was moved to the women’s ward. On July 24, 2023, Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, sentenced her to death and four years of imprisonment on charges of Baghi through membership in opposition groups. Her case has been recently upheld by the Supreme Court.

 

 

3. Akbar Daneshvar-Kar

  • Prison: Evin Prison
  • Main Charge: Baghi
  • Court: Branch 26, Tehran Revolutionary Court
  • Case Status: Initial death sentence issued
4. Seyed Mohammad Taghavi Sangdehi

  • Prison: Evin Prison
  • Main Charge: Baghi
  • Court: Branch 26, Tehran Revolutionary Court
  • Case Status: Initial death sentence issued
5. Babak Alipour

  • Prison: Evin Prison
  • Main Charge: Baghi
  • Court: Branch 26, Tehran Revolutionary Court
  • Case Status: Initial death sentence issued
6. Pouya Ghobadi Bistoni

  • Prison: Evin Prison
  • Main Charge: Baghi
  • Court: Branch 26, Tehran Revolutionary Court
  • Case Status: Initial death sentence issued
7. Vahid Bani-Amerian

  • Prison: Evin Prison
  • Main Charge: Baghi
  • Court: Branch 26, Tehran Revolutionary Court
  • Case Status: Initial death sentence issued
8. Seyed Abolhasan Montazer

  • Prison: Evin Prison
  • Main Charge: Baghi
  • Court: Branch 26, Tehran Revolutionary Court
  • Case Status: Initial death sentence issued
Vahid Bani-Amerian and Seyed Abolhasan Montazer were arrested in December 2022, and Babak Alipour was detained in autumn 2023 in Tehran. Pouya Ghobadi and Seyed Mohammad Taghavi were arrested in Chaldoran, and Akbar Daneshvar-Kar was detained on February 23, 2024, by security forces and transferred to Evin Prison.

In December 2024, Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, sentenced these six political prisoners to death on charges including Baghi (armed rebellion) through membership in opposition groups, conspiracy to disrupt national security, formation of illegal groups, destruction of public property, and illegal border crossing.

Additionally, they received supplementary sentences:

  • Akbar Daneshvarkar and Seyed Mohammad Taghavi Sangdehi: 15 years imprisonment each.
  • Babak Alipour: 5 years imprisonment and 20 years exile in Khash.
  • Pouya Ghobadi Bistoni: 1 year imprisonment.
  • Vahid Bani-Amerian: 5 years imprisonment.
  • Seyed Abolhasan Montazer: 5 years imprisonment.

 

9. Eido Shah-Bakhsh

  • Prison: Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj
  • Main Charge: Baghi (armed rebellion)
  • Court: Branch 28, Tehran Revolutionary Court
  • Case Status: Sentence upheld by the Supreme Court; referred to the execution branch
10. Abdolghani Shah-Bakhsh

  • Prison: Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj
  • Main Charge: Baghi
  • Court: Branch 28, Tehran Revolutionary Court
  • Case Status: Sentence upheld by the Supreme Court; referred to the execution branch
11. Abdolrahim Ghanbarzahi Gorgij (Rahim Mirbaloch)

  • Prison: Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj
  • Main Charge: Baghi
  • Court: Branch 28, Tehran Revolutionary Court
  • Case Status: Sentence upheld by the Supreme Court; referred to the execution branch
12. Soleiman Shah-Bakhsh

  • Prison: Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj
  • Main Charge: Baghi
  • Court: Branch 28, Tehran Revolutionary Court
  • Case Status: Sentence upheld by the Supreme Court; referred to the execution branch
These individuals were arrested in 2012. Many of their court sessions were irregular, and some defendants, such as Eido Shah-Bakhsh and Abdolghani Shah-Bakhsh, were acquitted by Branch 1 of the Zahedan Revolutionary Court but were rearrested in 2016 following objections from security agencies. On February 4, 2024, Branch 28 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Mohammad Reza Amozad Khalili, sentenced them to death for Baghi through membership in opposition groups and armed rebellion against the regime. The Supreme Court’s Branch 32 upheld their death sentences, and the cases were referred to the first branch of the Tehran Security Prosecutor’s Execution Office.

 

13. Milad Armoun

  • Prison: Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj
  • Main Charge: Participation in murder and intentional assault
  • Court: Branch 13, Tehran Criminal Court One
  • Case Status: Initial death sentence issued
14. Alireza Kafaei

  • Prison: Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj
  • Main Charge: Participation in murder and intentional assault
  • Court: Branch 13, Tehran Criminal Court One
  • Case Status: Initial death sentence issued
15. Amir Mohammad Khosh-Eghbal

  • Prison: Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj
  • Main Charge: Participation in murder and intentional assault
  • Court: Branch 13, Tehran Criminal Court One
  • Case Status: Initial death sentence issued
16. Navid Najaran

  • Prison: Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj
  • Main Charge: Participation in murder and intentional assault
  • Court: Branch 13, Tehran Criminal Court One
  • Case Status: Initial death sentence issued
17. Hossein Nemati

  • Prison: Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj
  • Main Charge: Participation in murder and intentional assault
  • Court: Branch 13, Tehran Criminal Court One
  • Case Status: Initial death sentence issued
18. Alireza Barmarz Pournak

  • Prison: Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj
  • Main Charge: Participation in murder and intentional assault
  • Court: Branch 13, Tehran Criminal Court One
  • Case Status: Initial death sentence issued
Milad Armoun, Alireza Kafaei, Amir Mohammad Khosh-Eghbal, Navid Najaran, Hossein Nemati, and Alireza Barmerz Pournak are defendants in the so-called “Ekbatan Complex” case. They were arrested in 2022 during nationwide protests after the killing of a Basij militia member named Arman Ali Vardi in Ekbatan Complex. In November 2024, Branch 13 of Tehran Criminal Court One sentenced each of them to death for “participation in murder and intentional assault.”

 

19. Edris Ali

  • Prison: Urmia Prison
  • Main Charge: Espionage
  • Court: Branch 3, Urmia Revolutionary Court
  • Case Status: Initial death sentence issued
20. Azad Shojaei

  • Prison: Urmia Prison
  • Main Charge: Espionage
  • Court: Branch 3, Urmia Revolutionary Court
  • Case Status: Initial death sentence issued
21. Rasoul Ahmad Mohammad

  • Prison: Urmia Prison
  • Main Charge: Espionage
  • Court: Branch 3, Urmia Revolutionary Court
  • Case Status: Initial death sentence issued
Edris (Idris) Ali, Azad Shojaei, and Rasoul Ahmad Mohammad were arrested earlier this year and transferred to Urmia Prison. In November, 2024, the judiciary spokesperson announced their death sentences, claiming they were involved in espionage and, under the guise of alcohol smuggling, transported “assassination equipment” intended for a senior official of Iran’s nuclear program. The sentences were issued by Branch 3 of the Urmia Revolutionary Court.

 

22. Behrooz Ehsani

  • Prison: Evin Prison
  • Main Charge: Baghi (armed rebellion)
  • Court: Branch 26, Tehran Revolutionary Court
  • Case Status: death sentence upheld by the Supreme Court
23. Mehdi Hassani

  • Prison: Evin Prison
  • Main Charge: Baghi
  • Court: Branch 26, Tehran Revolutionary Court
  • Case Status: death sentence upheld by the Supreme Court
Behrooz Ehsani was arrested on November 28, 2022, at his home in Tehran and transferred to Ward 209 of Evin Prison. Mehdi Hassani was arrested on September 9, 2022, while attempting to leave the country in Zanjan and later transferred to Evin Prison. In September 2024, Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, sentenced them to death. The charges included “Baghi, Moharebeh (enmity against God), spreading corruption on earth, membership in opposition groups, gathering classified information, and collusion against national security.” On January 8, 2025, the Supreme Court upheld their death sentences.

 

24. Hamid Hossein-Nezhad Heidaranlou

  • Prison: Urmia Prison
  • Main Charge: Baghi
  • Court: Branch 1, Urmia Revolutionary Court
  • Case Status: Death sentence issued, referred to the Supreme Court
Hamid Hossein-Nezhad Heidaranlou was arrested in April 2023 at the Chaldoran border by border guards. He was reportedly subjected to physical and psychological torture in the detention center of the Urmia Intelligence Office to extract a forced confession regarding participation in armed clashes between opposition parties and border forces. He was later transferred to Urmia Prison. In July 2024, Branch 1 of the Urmia Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Najafzadeh, sentenced him to death for Baghi through membership in opposition parties. His case has been referred to the Supreme Court.

 

25. Hatem Özdemir

  • Prison: Urmia Prison
  • Main Charge: Moharebeh (waging war against God)
  • Court: Branch 3, Urmia Revolutionary Court
  • Case Status: Death sentence upheld by the Supreme Court
Hatem Özdemir was arrested in Maku in early summer 2019 by security forces and transferred to the political ward of Urmia Prison after two months. Initially sentenced to death for Baghi by the Khoy Revolutionary Court in late winter 2021, his sentence was overturned by the Supreme Court and sent for retrial. In May 2024, he was resentenced to death for Moharebeh by Branch 3 of the Urmia Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Najafzadeh. The sentence was upheld by the Supreme Court in September 2023.

 

26. Mehrab (Mehran) Abdollahzadeh

  • Prison: Urmia Prison
  • Main Charge: Baghi
  • Court: Urmia Revolutionary Court
  • Case Status: Initial death sentence issued
Mehrab (Mehran) Abdollahzadeh was arrested during the nationwide protests of 2022 and transferred to Urmia Prison. He was later sentenced to death by the Urmia Revolutionary Court, accused of killing a Basij militia member, leading to charges of Baghi and his death sentence.

 

27. Naser Bekrzadeh

  • Prison: Urmia Prison
  • Main Charge: Espionage
  • Court: Branch 3, Urmia Revolutionary Court
  • Case Status: Initial death sentence issued
Naser Bekrzadeh, 25, a resident of Urmia, was arrested in January 2024 by security forces and transferred to the city’s prison. In mid-November 2024, Branch 3 of the Urmia Revolutionary Court sentenced him to death. The judiciary media center claimed he was charged with “espionage for Israel and collaboration with Mossad.”

 

28. Shahin Vasaf

  • Prison: Urmia Prison
  • Main Charge: Espionage
  • Court: Branch 3, Urmia Revolutionary Court
  • Case Status: Initial death sentence issued
Shahin Vasaf, 28, a resident of Salmas and Urmia, was arrested in September 2022 by security forces. After completing his interrogation at the Urmia Intelligence Office, he was transferred to Urmia Prison. In October 2023, he was sentenced to death by Branch 3 of the Urmia Revolutionary Court for “espionage for Israel.”

 

29. Shahriar Bayat

  • Prison: Evin Prison
  • Main Charge: Sab-al-Nabi (blasphemy against the Prophet)
  • Court: Branch 13, Tehran Criminal Court One
  • Case Status: Initial death sentence issued
Shahriar Bayat, 64, was arrested at his home in Shahriar on September 25, 2022, during nationwide protests. Initially transferred to Greater Tehran Prison and later to Evin Prison, he faced multiple charges in two cases. On March 1, 2023, Branch 1 of the Shahriar Revolutionary Court sentenced him to a total of 18 years imprisonment for charges including “propaganda against the regime,” “insulting the founder of the Islamic Republic,” “collusion against national security,” and “forming and managing illegal groups.” On March, 2024, Branch 13 of Tehran Criminal Court One sentenced him to death for “insulting the prophet of Islam and Islamic sanctities” through online posts and content.

 

30. Farshid Hassan Zahi

  • Prison: Ward 9, Zahedan Prison
  • Main Charge: Moharebeh (waging war against God)
  • Court: Branch 1, Zahedan Criminal Court
  • Case Status: Death sentence issued, referred to Branch 32 of the Supreme Court
Farshid Hassan Zahi, son of Hanif, was arrested on November 24, 2022, in the village of Cheshmeh Ziarat, Zahedan, by security forces. He was accused of “shooting at a police vehicle in Cheshmeh Ziarat, killing soldier Behzad Barahouyi, and injuring lieutenant Mehdi Hashem Zehi.” He is currently held in Ward 9 of Zahedan Prison. The court session that led to his death sentence was conducted online, without the presence of his defense attorney.

 

31. Mohammad Zeyneddini

  • Prison: Ward 9, Zahedan Prison
  • Main Charge: Moharebeh
  • Court: Branch 1, Zahedan Criminal Court
  • Case Status: Death sentence upheld by the Supreme Court
32. Adham Naroui

  • Prison: Ward 9, Zahedan Prison
  • Main Charge: Moharebeh
  • Court: Branch 1, Zahedan Criminal Court
  • Case Status: Death sentence upheld by the Supreme Court
Mohammad Zeyneddini was arrested in October 2020, and Adham Naroui was detained on May 25, 2021, in Lashar, Espakeh County, by security forces. Their cases, initially investigated by Branch 6 of the Zahedan Prosecutor’s Office, were later referred to Branch 1 of Zahedan Criminal Court for the killing of three security forces. In early 2023, both were sentenced to death by the court for “Moharebeh through armed action.” Their sentences were upheld by the Supreme Court on November 19, 2023.

 

33. Mohammad Javad Vafaei Thani

  • Prison: Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad
  • Main Charge: Corruption on Earth through arson and deliberate destruction of specific sites
  • Court: Branch 2, Mashhad Revolutionary Court
  • Case Status: Initial death sentence issued
Mohammad Javad Vafaei Sani, a 28-year-old boxing coach, was arrested in March 2020 in Mashhad by security forces and transferred to Vakilabad Prison. In January 2022, he was sentenced to death by Branch 4 of Mashhad Revolutionary Court for “corruption on earth through arson and deliberate destruction of specific sites, including a government building.” The sentence was overturned by the Supreme Court, and the case was sent for retrial. In August 2023, Branch 2 of Mashhad Revolutionary Court reissued the death sentence. This was again overturned by the Supreme Court, but in September 2023, Branch 3 of Mashhad Revolutionary Court sentenced him to death for a third time. His lawyer, Babak Paknia, criticized the decision, stating the court ignored the Supreme Court’s reasoning.

 

34. Abbas Deris

  • Prison: Mahshahr Prison
  • Main Charge: Moharebeh
  • Court: Branch 1, Mahshahr Revolutionary Court
  • Case Status: Death sentence upheld by the Supreme Court; retrial request denied
Abbas Deris was arrested on December 8, 2019, alongside his brother Mohsen by intelligence agents. In October 2022, he was sentenced to death for Moharebeh by Branch 1 of Mahshahr Revolutionary Court. This was upheld by the Supreme Court in July 2023. After a retrial request in July 2023, the Supreme Court temporarily suspended the sentence but ultimately rejected the request in February 2024. His lawyer has filed for judicial review under Article 477. In another case, he was sentenced to 14 years for murder and weapons possession. Abbas Deris, a father of three, has denied involvement in arson and road blockades during protests in November 2019.

 

35. Ahmadreza Jalali (Djalali) 

  • Prison: Evin Prison
  • Main Charge: Espionage
  • Court: Not specified
  • Case Status: Death sentence upheld by the Supreme Court
Ahmadreza Jalali, a dual-national academic, was arrested in April 2016 during a visit to Iran upon the invitation of Tehran University. He was later sentenced to death for espionage. The Supreme Court upheld his sentence in December 2017. The judiciary spokesperson, Zabihollah Khodaian, confirmed in May 10, 2023, that the sentence is final and enforceable.

 

36. Yousef Ahmadi

  • Prison: Sanandaj Prison
  • Main Charge: Baghi (armed rebellion)
  • Court: Branch 1, Sanandaj Revolutionary Court
  • Case Status: Death sentence upheld by the Supreme Court
Yousef Ahmadi, along with three co-defendants in a joint case, was arrested in April 2020 on suspicion of “collaborating with a Kurdish opposition party.” In September 2023, Branch 1 of the Sanandaj Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Saeedi, sentenced Ahmadi to death for Baghi and sentenced the other three co-defendants to long prison terms for complicity. The Supreme Court upheld Ahmadi’s death sentence in February 2024.

 

37. Mohammad Mehdi Soleimani

  • Prison: Ward 1, Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad
  • Main Charge: Killing a Basij member
  • Court: Branch 5, Khorasan Razavi Criminal Court One
  • Case Status: Initial death sentence issued
State media reported that an individual identified as “Mohammad Mehdi-S” was sentenced to death by Branch 5 of the Khorasan Razavi Criminal Court for the killing of Basij member Rasoul Doost Mohammadi during the 2022 nationwide protests. He was also sentenced to flogging (74 lashes) and imprisonment for possession of explosives and incendiary materials. HRANA confirmed his identity as Mohammad Mehdi Soleimani, currently held in Ward 1 of Vakilabad Prison.

 

38. Ali Mojdam

  • Prison: Sepidar Prison, Ahvaz
  • Main Charge: Leadership and membership in a Baghi group
  • Court: Ahvaz Revolutionary Court
  • Case Status: Death sentence under review by the Supreme Court
39. Mohammadreza Moghadam

  • Prison: Sepidar Prison, Ahvaz
  • Main Charge: Leadership and membership in a Baghi group
  • Court: Ahvaz Revolutionary Court
  • Case Status: Death sentence under review by the Supreme Court
40. Moein Khanfari

  • Prison: Sepidar Prison, Ahvaz
  • Main Charge: Membership in a Baghi group
  • Court: Ahvaz Revolutionary Court
  • Case Status: Death sentence under review by the Supreme Court
41. Adnan Ghobeishavi

  • Prison: Sepidar Prison, Ahvaz
  • Main Charge: Membership in a Baghi group
  • Court: Ahvaz Revolutionary Court
  • Case Status: Death sentence under review by the Supreme Court
42. Salem Mousavi

  • Prison: Sheiban Prison, Ahvaz
  • Main Charge: Membership in a Baghi group
  • Court: Ahvaz Revolutionary Court
  • Case Status: Death sentence under review by the Supreme Court
43. Habib Deris

  • Prison: Sheiban Prison, Ahvaz
  • Main Charge: Membership in a Baghi group
  • Court: Ahvaz Revolutionary Court
  • Case Status: Death sentence under review by the Supreme Court
Ali Mojdam, Mohammadreza Moghadam, Moein Khanfari, Habib Deris, Adnan Ghobeishavi, and Salem Mousavi were arrested in February 2019 by security forces in Khuzestan. In March 2023, Mojdam and Moghadam were sentenced to death for leadership and membership in the “armed branch of Harakat al-Nazal al-Arabi,” accused of armed opposition to the Islamic Republic. The others were sentenced to death for membership in the same group. Their cases are currently under review by the Supreme Court. In late October 2024, Mojdam, Moghadam, Khanfari, and Ghobeishavi were transferred from Sheiban Prison to Sepidar Prison in Ahvaz.

 

44. Farhad Shakeri

  • Prison: Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad
  • Main Charge: Baghi (armed rebellion) through membership in a Salafi group
  • Court: Branch 4, Mashhad Revolutionary Court
  • Case Status: Death sentence upheld by the Supreme Court
45. Isa Eidmohammadi

  • Prison: Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad
  • Main Charge: Baghi through membership in a Salafi group
  • Court: Branch 4, Mashhad Revolutionary Court
  • Case Status: Death sentence upheld by the Supreme Court
46. Abdolrahman Gorgij

  • Prison: Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad
  • Main Charge: Baghi through membership in a Salafi group
  • Court: Branch 4, Mashhad Revolutionary Court
  • Case Status: Death sentence upheld by the Supreme Court
47. Abdolhakim Azim Gorgij

  • Prison: Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad
  • Main Charge: Baghi through membership in a Salafi group
  • Court: Branch 4, Mashhad Revolutionary Court
  • Case Status: Death sentence upheld by the Supreme Court
48. Taj Mohammad Khormali

  • Prison: Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad
  • Main Charge: Baghi through membership in a Salafi group
  • Court: Branch 4, Mashhad Revolutionary Court
  • Case Status: Death sentence upheld by the Supreme Court
49. Malek Ali Fadaei Nasab

  • Prison: Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad
  • Main Charge: Baghi through membership in a Salafi group
  • Court: Branch 4, Mashhad Revolutionary Court
  • Case Status: Death sentence upheld by the Supreme Court
Malek Ali Fadaei Nasab (a Shia Muslim), Isa Eidmohammadi, Farhad Shakeri, Abdolhakim Azim Gorgij, Abdolrahman Gorgij, Taj Mohammad Khormal (Sunni Muslims), and others were arrested in 2015 by the Intelligence Ministry. They were transferred to Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad a year later. In 2019, Branch 1 of the Mashhad Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Mahmoud Davoodabadi, sentenced several of them to death for “Baghi through membership in the Salafi group Al-Furqan and the National Solidarity Front of Sunni Muslims in Iran.”

In December 31, 2020, the death sentences for Hamid Rast Bala, Kabir Saadat Jahani, and Mohammad Ali Arayesh were carried out. The Supreme Court later overturned the sentences of six others and referred the cases for retrial. In August 2023, Branch 4 of the Mashhad Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Ahmadian Salami, resentenced them to death. The Supreme Court upheld the death sentences in August 2024.

 

50. Malek Davarshenas (Seyed Malek Mousavi)

  • Prison: Sheiban Prison, Ahvaz
  • Main Charge: Baghi through setting fire to a Basij base
  • Court: Branch 2, Dezful Revolutionary Court
  • Case Status: Initial death sentence issued
Malek Davarshenas (Seyed Malek Mousavi) was arrested in May 2021 along with another individual by security forces. Following interrogations, Branch 2 of Dezful Revolutionary Court sentenced Davarshenas to death for “Baghi,” while the co-defendant was sentenced to 10 years in prison for “participation in disrupting order.” The charges against Davarshenas include “attacking and setting fire to the Shavoor Basij Resistance Base.”

 

51. Ali Obeidavi

  • Prison: Mahshahr Prison
  • Main Charge: Attack on a Basij base
  • Court: Mahshahr Revolutionary Court
  • Case Status: Initial death sentence issued
Ali Obeidavi was arrested in 2019 along with his brother, Hossein Obeidavi, on charges of “attacking a Basij base.” After four years, the Mahshahr Revolutionary Court sentenced Ali to death and his brother to 13 years in prison.

 

52. Saman Mohammadi Kheyareh

  • Prison: Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj
  • Main Charge: Moharebeh (waging war against God)
  • Court: Branch 15, Tehran Revolutionary Court
  • Case Status: Initial death sentence issued
Saman Mohammadi Kheyareh, a 34-year-old from Sanandaj, was arrested in February 2010 on charges of Moharebeh. A few months later, he was sentenced to death by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Abolghasem Salavati. Due to insufficient evidence, the Supreme Court overturned the sentence, and the case was referred for retrial, resulting in a 15-year prison sentence for membership in opposition groups. However, under pressure from security agencies, the previous ruling was annulled, and he was again sentenced to death on the same charges.

 

53. Mohammad Amin Mahdavi Shayesteh

  • Prison: Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj
  • Main Charge: Collaboration with a hostile government
  • Court: Branch 15, Tehran Revolutionary Court
  • Case Status: Initial death sentence issued
Mohammad Amin Mahdavi Shayesteh, 26, was arrested in the fall of the previous year and sentenced to death by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Abolghasem Salavati, for alleged collaboration with Israel. His appeal is currently pending in the Supreme Court

 

54. Abbas (Mojahed) Korkor (Korkouri)

  • Prison: Sheiban Prison, Ahvaz
  • Main Charge: Moharebeh
  • Court: Ahvaz Revolutionary Court
  • Case Status: Initial death sentence issued
Mojahed Korkouri was sentenced to death in April 2023 for “Moharebeh through armed action, corruption on earth by shooting with a military weapon, causing the death of seven people, and forming a Baghi group.” The Supreme Court overturned this ruling in the fall of the same year, and the case was sent for retrial. After the retrial in the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court, he was once again sentenced to death.

 

This report highlights the widespread violations of human rights and justice in Iran. Many of the individuals sentenced to death are accused of political offenses such as “Baghi” and “Moharebeh,” while some were engaged in non-violent activities or were arrested solely for political or ideological reasons. Many have been denied fair trials, including access to independent legal representation and transparent judicial processes.

The death penalty, as a form of punishment, stands in complete contradiction to the fundamental right to life and universal principles of human rights. Its use, particularly against political prisoners, is often accompanied by blatant violations of defendants’ rights, including forced confessions obtained under torture, denial of fair trials, and its application as a tool to suppress dissenting views and activities. Such actions not only violate human dignity but also lack any moral or legal justification under human rights principles and must be halted immediately.

It is worth noting that the crisis of executions extends beyond political and security prisoners. According to the annual statistics of the Human Rights Activists News Agency, at least 930 prisoners, including 5 juvenile offenders, were executed in Iran between January 1, 2024, and December 31, 2024. This represents an increase of approximately 24.6% compared to the same period in the previous year. Among these, 4 executions were carried out publicly, 214 individuals were sentenced to death, and the Supreme Court upheld 54 other initial death sentences during the same period.

This report reveals that many individuals are sentenced to death not for committing violent crimes but for engaging in civic, political, or ideological activities. This raises serious concerns about the use of the death penalty as a tool to suppress political and ideological dissent.

The international community, human rights organizations, and the public must actively monitor these cases and apply pressure on the Iranian government to prevent the unjust execution of these sentences.

Political Prisoner Varisheh Moradi Sentenced to Death

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Executions, Freedom of Expression, News
Baghi, Evin Prison, Varishe Moradi, Varisheh Moradi, وریشه مرادی

Political prisoner Varisheh Moradi, currently held in Evin Prison, has been sentenced to death on charges of baghi (armed rebellion) by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court. The verdict was issued under the supervision of Judge Abolqasem Salavati.

Ms. Moradi was arrested on August 1, 2023, by security forces near Sanandaj. Following her arrest, she underwent interrogation at The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility, referred to as Ward 209 of Evin Prison. On December 26, 2023, after the completion of the interrogation process, she was transferred to the women’s ward of Evin Prison.

The legal process in Ms. Moradi’s case has been marked by delays:

  • The first court session, held on June 17, 2024, addressed charges including membership in an opposition group and baghi.
  • A hearing scheduled for August 4, 2024, was postponed due to Ms. Moradi’s absence.
  • Another hearing on August 28, 2024, was canceled because the prosecutor’s representative and Judge Amuzad, serving as an advisor, were not present.

The second court session finally took place on October 5, 2024, during which the death sentence was finalized.

In a separate case involving four other prisoners, Ms. Moradi was recently sentenced to six months of imprisonment by Branch 2 of the Quds Judicial Complex in Tehran. This sentence relates to accusations of “assaulting an officer and defiance” during a protest in the women’s ward of Evin Prison on August 7, 2024.

The protest erupted after inmates learned of the execution of Reza Rasaei, leading to a confrontation with prison guards. This incident resulted in new charges against Ms. Moradi and other prisoners.

Political Defendants Varisheh Moradi and Pakhshan Azizi Stage Hunger Strike in Evin Prison

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News, Prisoners
Baha'is Graveyard in Sanandaj, Evin Prison, Mahabad, Pakhshan Azizi, Salavati, Varisheh Moradi

Varisheh (Varisha) Moradi and Pakhshan Azizi have initiated a hunger strike in Evin Prison to protest prolonged detention without a court hearing and Moradi’s relocation to security Ward 209, controlled by the Ministry of Intelligence.

Despite being detained for nine months, there has been no clarity in their legal proceedings.

Confirming their hunger strike, a source close to their families informed HRANA that Moradi was recently banned from making phone calls and family visits by the order of Judge Abolqasem Salavati. She was moved from the Women’s Ward to Ward 209 on May 14, and both Azizi and Moradi initiated their hunger strike the following day.

Moradi was apprehended by security forces on August 1, 2023, in the suburbs of Sanandaj. Later in August, she was transferred from a detention facility in Sanandaj to Ward 209 of Evin Prison. After completing the interrogation process on December 26, 2023, she was relocated to the Women’s Ward within the prison.

In February 2024, Moradi was indicted by Branch 5 of the Public and Revolutionary Court of Tehran on charges of armed rebellion (Baghi) due to suspected membership in a political opposition party. However, the court session was annulled due to the absence of the counselor.

Azizi, a resident of Mahabad, was arrested on August 4, 2023, by security forces in Tehran. She was interrogated for four months in Ward 209 of Evin Prison before being relocated to the Women’s Ward. In February 2024, Azizi was also indicted for “membership in anti-regime groups,” under review by the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Iman Afshari.

This is not the first time Azizi has faced arrest and judicial confrontation, as she was previously arrested by security forces on November 16, 2009, and detained for four months until her release on bail.